Entry Instance

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{
    "id": 1102805,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1102805/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 65,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "In making a determination on this matter, therefore, I directed the Office of the Clerk to submit to my office, the alleged recording, the HANSARD recording in both audio and print, and the PBU recording for Tuesday, 14th September, 2021. In addition, Hon. Senators will recall that I was, myself, presiding at the time the offending recording was purportedly made and I am, therefore, also able to recollect what transpired. After going through the official records of the proceedings of Tuesday, 14th September, 2021, against the recording in question, I have no difficulty in finding that the offending publication was an amateurish and poor counterfeit of the authentic recording of the proceedings of the Senate by the super-imposition of a voice-over introducing the words complained of. It is a clear manipulation and a misrepresentation and fabrication of the sequence of events and proceedings of the Senate held on that day. While it is lamentable that certain individuals using the anonymity of various social media platforms contrived, for reasons known to themselves, to produce and purvey this fabricated recording, it is unfathomable that mainstream media houses could join such a bandwagon. This is not the first time that the conduct of media houses covering Parliamentary proceedings has come under scrutiny. Some Hon. Senators will recall that in the 10th Parliament, The Standard newspaper published a picture carried on Page Six of its CrazyMonday pullout of Monday, 22nd March, 2010, that became the source of the complaint. In a ruling made on 30th March, 2010, the then Speaker, Hon. Kenneth Marende, observed that- “…. the purpose of media coverage of Parliamentary proceedings as envisaged in the Standing Orders and Broadcasting regulations and as would be reasonably expected is to relay fair and responsible presentation of Parliamentary proceedings to the public”. The then Speaker further noted that- “…the spirit behind the provisions permitting media coverage of Parliament is really no more than that the public is entitled to follow the proceedings and conduct of their representatives in the Legislature. Media coverage should not be used to serve any other purpose”. These words ring as true today as they were then. Parliament is mandated under the Constitution, at Article 118, to conduct its business in an open manner and to facilitate the involvement and participation of the public in its legislative and other business. It is for this reason that the Standing Orders, at Standing Order No.239, provide for the proceedings of the Senate to be broadcasted and the rules for such broadcasting provided for in the First Schedule. 1. Rule 5(1) and (3) of the Broadcasting Rules provide that- 5(1) Officers of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit shall conduct themselves in a professional and impartial manner, giving a balanced, fair and accurate account of proceedings. 5(3) Recordings of Senate proceedings may not be used for purposes of political party advertising, ridicule, commercial sponsorship or any form of adverse"
}